Invasive primary cutaneous phycomycosis in diabetic leg ulcers
J. W. Tomford, D. Whittlesey, J. J. Ellner and J. F. Tomashefski Jr
Two cases of cutaneous phycomycosis in the form of diabetic leg ulcers were
diagnosed by culture and biopsy demonstration of invasive fungal infection.
The first patient had an infected vesicular skin lesion. Systemic
amphotericin B therapy and repeated debridement were curative. A
posttraumatic leg ulcer developed in the second patient in the setting of
hyperglycemia and renal insufficiency. Aggressive infection necessitated a
curative amputation. Phycomycetes can cause or complicate diabetic leg
ulcers and such infections may require biopsy for early recognition and
subsequent successful therapy.
